Further to previous posting here (30th October 2020), Deer Alliance HCAP has again called for the designation of deer control for stated purposes, with written correspondence to Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister for Heritage Malcolm TD (NPWS), Minister of State for Agriculture Pippa Hackett TD, and Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien TD (with ultimate responsibility for Heritage including NPWS).
The following is the text of the communication sent today 1st November 2020:
Dear Minister,
I refer to our earlier email sent on 30th October 2020.
To assist you in your consideration of a decision to designate deer control for stated purposes as an essential service to agriculture and forestry, we draw to your attention Part 2, Schedule, Essential Services, paragraph 14, Public Administration, Emergency Services and Defence, sub-paragraph (k), of Statutory Instrument No. 448 of 2020, Health Act 1947 (Section 31a – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 8) Regulations 2020, signed on 21st October 2020, which lists as essential services “activities relating to the management, protection, restoration and conservation of protected species, habitats and designated natural, archaeological and built heritage sites”.
Deer are a protected species under the provisions of the Wildlife Act 1976 (as amended).
Management of wild deer as a protected species requires culling by licensed persons in order to achieve a sustainable population and to provide against damage to agricultural crops and forestry.
Deer control for stated purposes is therefore an essential service to agriculture and forestry as provided for under the relevant legislation and we call on your Department to recognise and designate it as such.
(end)
